Our First and Second Amendment Rights

First Amendment: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Even though we have freedoms guaranteed by the First Amendment, here are some of the restrictions on our First Amendment rights. None of the rights given to American citizens under the Bill or Rights are absolute or unrestrained. Here are some of the things that we are not permitted to do.

FREEDOM OF RELIGION

Engage in ritual human sacrifice (virgin or otherwise)

Stone anyone to death for sinning

Engage in any hate crimes based on the victims religious background or beliefs

Discriminate against anyone based upon their religious background or beliefs

Force anyone to convert to your religious preferences

Wage any sort of holy war against those whose beliefs differ from your own.

FREEDOM OF SPEECH

Lie under oath

File a false police report or give false information to police

Commit fraud or extortion

Claim immunity from libel or slander

Yell “Fire!” in a crowded theater

Engage in false advertising or false labeling

Make bomb threats

Threaten the life or safety of any individual for any reason

FREEDOM OF ASSEMBLY

Start or Join in a riot

Join any criminal conspiracy

Join any organization intent upon the destruction of the government

Now, let us think about how this notion applies to the Second Amendment.

Second Amendment: A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

Can anyone seriously argue that the right to bear arms does not come with similar restrictions?